The microphone is installed in a large Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis), standing 10 metres tall with a crown spread of 10 metres, next to the Museum of the Flora and Fauna Preservation Park. The Park, which covers 30 hectares, includes native plant species and olive groves and belongs to the Technical University of Crete (TUC). The installation and live audio streaming were made possible through the collaboration between the Technical University of Crete’s Flora and Fauna Preservation Park and the UK-based arts organisations Octopus Collective and Soundcamp Arts Cooperative, as part of the research project Acoustic Commons (2020–2022), funded by the European Union’s Creative Europe programme.
At the streaming site, the sounds heard most frequently are those of birds. At least 14 bird species have been recorded in the Flora and Fauna Preservation Park:
- Accipiter gentilis
- Accipiter nisus
- Buteo buteo
- Falco tinnunculus
- Alectoris chukar
- Streptopelia turtur
- Cuculus canorus
- Otus scops
- Upupa epops
- Turdus merula
- Turdus philomelos
- Corvus corax
- Fringilla coelebs
- Carduelis carduelis
Other sounds include the footsteps of people running and, occasionally, passing vehicles. Heavy machinery can also be heard in the background from time to time. Strong winds are another characteristic feature of the soundscape and blow throughout the year.
The audio streaming system (streambox) was installed by Dr Maria Papadomanolaki, a founding member of Soundcamp Arts Cooperative, in collaboration with Antonia Zacharouli, an agronomist who was responsible for the Flora and Fauna Preservation Park until 2025. It is maintained by Dr Maria Papadomanolaki in collaboration with the Technical University of Crete.
This transmitter is a permanent installation in the Park, supporting the acoustic monitoring and study of its soundscape, as well as a range of educational and artistic activities focusing on acoustic value and biodiversity, such as the Festival of Sounds and Ecology, curated by Dr Papadomanolaki.
Since 28 April 2021, the soundscape of the Flora and Fauna Preservation Park has been continuously broadcast and made available through Acoustic Commons. You can listen to the live stream via this link or visit the Acoustic Commons programme website.
Supported by the European Union’s Creative Europe programme.